Effect of the long-term use of a NOAEL dose of acetaminophen (paracetamol) on hepatic, renal, and neural tissues of aged albino rats.

Background: Paracetamol is one of the most popular drugs; it is used daily by many people especially the elderly, without a limitation on the length of the period allowed for continuous use. Harms from long-term use are less clear, particularly in extrahepatic regions. Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether using paracetamol at a non-observable adverse effect level dose, known not to cause toxic effects, for a long period can induce toxicity in aged male albino rats. Methods: A daily dose of 500 mg per kg body weight of paracetamol was given to adult male albino rats for 12 weeks. During this period, rats were sacrificed at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks to evaluate the toxic changes at several time intervals. Results: Chemical analysis revealed elevated serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, and declined level of total protein in N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP)-treated group; it also caused oxidative stress, as shown by decreased glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and elevated malondialdehyde in the liver, kidney, and brain. Histopathological examination demonstrated cytoplasmic vacuolation and sinusoidal congestion with the development of single-cell necrosis in the liver. Renal tubular necrosis, glomerular atrophy, and ischemic neuronal injury, especially in the hippocampus were observed. the deleterious effects of APAP were increased in severity with increasing the period of treatment. Conclusion: Our results suggest that acetaminophen in a subtoxic dose for a long period could result in mild toxic effects on the liver but more serious lesions in the kidney and brain.

DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMANCE OF BLOOD ANALYTES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF RENAL DISEASE IN BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS (MUSTELA NIGRIPES) AT THE PHOENIX ZOO (2001-2020).

Renal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in managed black-footed ferrets (BFF; Mustela nigripes).4,6,12 The objectives of this study were to establish reference intervals for blood analytes of clinically normal BFF (1-2 yr old), summarize the frequency of various renal histopathologic findings in a managed population of BFF, assess the diagnostic performance of blood analytes and urine specific gravity (USG) for the diagnosis of renal disease, and assess if comorbidities or age affects the performance of these analytes in diagnosing renal disease. Reference intervals were established using a cohort (n = 35) of clinically normal, young adult BFF. Postmortem records for all BFF at the Phoenix Zoo between 2001 and 2020 were reviewed, and those with available blood analyte data within 2 wk of death were included (n = 89). Ferrets were placed into one of three groups, based on the organ location of histopathologic abnormalities following necropsy: renal disease as the primary change; those with renal disease and at least one other affected major organ system; or absence of abnormalities in the kidneys. In ferrets with substantial renal changes, the primary diagnosis was amyloidosis (29 of 39; 74.4%). Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), Ca:P ratio, USG, globulins, and cholesterol were the best-performing analytes for the diagnosis of renal disease, with an area under the curve of at least 0.90 (95% CI $ 0.80, 1.00). Serum renal markers were within reference intervals in BFF that died without histologic evidence of renal disease. Several blood analytes were significantly affected by age in animals that died of renal disease. This study provides reference intervals for blood analytes in young adult clinically normal BFF and illustrates the clinical utility for the diagnosis of renal disease in this species, particularly creatinine, USG, and P.

Amaranthus hybridus (syn. quitensis) intoxication in cattle in Argentina: Case report.

Amaranthus spp. is a nephrotoxic plant with unknown toxic principle, affecting production animals worldwide, mainly in South America. The aim of this paper is to describe 5 spontaneous outbreaks of A. hybridus intoxication in beef cattle, where 7 autopsies were performed. Main gross findings were pale diffuse and enlarged kidneys. Microscopically, kidneys were characterized by severe tubular acute to subacute nephrosis, with dilatated tubules showing different degrees of epithelial degeneration and necrosis, and containing intraluminal eosinophilic hyaline casts. Intratubular birefringent crystals, compatible with oxalate, were observed under polarized light in kidneys from 3 autopsies. Positive von Kossa and red alizarin S staining confirmed the intratubular crystals as calcium deposits. This intoxication occurs mainly in stubble paddocks during summer and early autumn. The data from the present study suggests that oxalates were related to nephrotoxicity due to Amaranthus consumption.

Association between systolic blood pressure and target organ damage in naturally occurring cases of systemic hypertension in the dog.

Chronic elevation in the systolic blood pressure (SBP) adversely affects the lifespan in the dog by causing injury to the eye, heart, kidney and brain. Understanding the association between SBP and target organ damage (TOD) helps in risk categorization and treatment planning. Therefore, a prospective study was undertaken to find the association between SBP and renal resistive index (RI) in naturally occurring cases of canine systemic hypertension. Based on the ACVIM guidelines 2018, dogs (n=135) were categorized into four risk groups of SBP, viz., A (minimal), B (low), C (moderate), and D (high). Ophthalmoscopy and echocardiography were used to assess ocular and cardiac changes, respectively. Nephrosonography, urinalysis, and RI were used to assess kidney damage. Odds ratio (OR) was used to quantify the risk of TOD for different categories of SBP. One-way Anova with Tukey's post-hoc test was used to test the effect of different SBP risk groups on urine protein creatinine ratio (UPC) and RI as well as the effect of number of TOD on the RI. Pearson's correlation test was done to see the relation of SBP with UPC and RI. Tortuous retinal vessels were common in group B with an OR of 11 (95% CI: 0.59-207). Retinal hemorrhage and left ventricular hypertrophy were common in group D with an OR of 13 (95% CI: 0.67-234) and 11 (95% CI: 0.61-207), respectively. A significant strong positive correlation of SBP with UPC (R2=0.65) and RI (R2=0.58) was observed. The renal RI significantly increased when the number of TOD was ≥ 2. It was concluded that SBP and RI are associated with the number and severity of TOD and might be valuable in risk classification in hypertensive dogs.

RENAL PATHOLOGY IN CAPTIVE ADULT ALAOTRAN GENTLE LEMURS (HAPALEMUR ALAOTRENSIS).

Full medical histories from captive Alaotran gentle lemurs or Bandro (Hapalemur alaotrensis) > 1 yr old that died between 1990 and 2016 were requested from holding institutions. Eighty-six individuals died during the period analyzed. Full postmortem reports were received from 40 (46.5%) animals from 16 different institutions across Europe (15) and North America (1). Eighteen animals (45%) showed azotemia within three months of death, with accompanying histological renal lesions. Another 17 (42.5%) showed histological renal lesions, but no renal function assessment was carried out antemortem, or results were within normal limits. Only five animals (12.5%) showed no renal lesions. Of the 35 (87.5%) animals with histological renal lesions, 18 were females, and 17 were males, 11 were wild caught, and 24 were captive born. Twenty-seven animals were euthanized, seven were found dead, and in one case, no details were provided. Sixty-four blood samples from 22 animals were available. Azotemia was observed on average 407 d antemortem, with a case observed as early as 2,318 d antemortem. Twenty-nine urinalyses from 12 animals were carried out antemortem. All animals showed hematuria or proteinuria in at least one antemortem sample. A pH decrease from 8.5 to 5.0 was observed in two animals antemortem. Gross renal lesions most frequently reported were irregular surface (n = 14), abnormal shape (n = 12), and/or presence of cysts (n = 9). The most common histological lesions were interstitial nephritis (n = 25), interstitial fibrosis (n = 26), tubule dilation (n = 16), and glomerulosclerosis (n = 12). Development of additional diagnostic tools, standardization of ante- and postmortem diagnostic protocols, and further investigation into potential etiologies, such as diets offered in captivity and genetic factors, should be considered as the next steps for the veterinary management of this species in captivity.

Nephrology in Veterinary Medicine.

Veterinary nephrology is a specialized field of veterinary medicine providing a high level of care for animals with all types of kidney disease. Veterinarians complete extensive training to become board-certified in veterinary nephrology-urology. Companion animal nephrology is the most advanced field; however, all species are afflicted by a variety of renal disorders. Most naturally occurring animal kidney diseases have similar disorders found in people; where veterinary research is lacking, clinical management is often modified from standard of care in people. Veterinarians have become adept at scaling down procedures to safely perform them on dogs and cats weighing only a few kilograms. Advanced diagnostics (renal biopsy, cystoscopy, fluoroscopic studies, etc. ) and therapeutics (renal replacement therapy, interventional endourology, etc. ) are commonly performed within the practice of veterinary nephrology-urology. Collaboration between veterinary and human nephrologists may advance both disciplines and improve care for people and animals alike.

ISOTHERMAL RECOMBINANT POLYMERASE AMPLIFICATION AND CRIPSR(CAS12A) ASSAY DETECTION OF RENIBACTERIUM SALMONINARUM AS AN EXAMPLE FOR WILDLIFE PATHOGEN DETECTION IN ENVIRONMENTAL DNA SAMPLES.

Improving rapid detection methods for pathogens is important for research as we collectively aim to improve the health of ecosystems globally. In the northern hemisphere, the success of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) populations is vitally important to the larger marine, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems they inhabit. This has led to managers cultivating salmon in hatcheries and aquaculture to bolster their populations, but young salmon face many challenges, including diseases such as bacterial kidney disease (BKD). Early detection of the BKD causative agent, Renibacterium salmoninarum, is useful for managers to avoid outbreaks in hatcheries and aquaculture stocks to enable rapid treatment with targeted antibiotics. Isothermal amplification and CRIPSR-Cas12a systems may enable sensitive, relatively rapid, detection of target DNA molecules from environmental samples compared to quantitative PCR (qPCR) and culture methods. We used these technologies to develop a sensitive and specific rapid assay to detect R. salmoninarum from water samples using isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and an AsCas12a RNA-guided nuclease detection. The assay was specific to R. salmoninarum (0/10 co-occurring or closely related bacteria detected) and sensitive to 0.0128 pg/µL of DNA (approximately 20-40 copies/µL) within 10 min of Cas activity. This assay successfully detected R. salmoninarum environmental DNA in 14/20 water samples from hatcheries with known quantification for the pathogen via previous qPCR (70% of qPCR-positive samples). The RPA-CRISPR/AsCas12a assay had a limit of detection (LOD) of >10 copies/µL in the hatchery water samples and stochastic detection below 10 copies/µL, similar to but slightly higher than the qPCR assay. This LOD enables 37 C isothermal detection, potentially in the field, of biologically relevant levels of R. salmoninarum in water. Further research is needed to develop easy-to-use, cost-effective, sensitive RPA/CRISPR-AsCas12a assays for rapidly detecting low concentrations of wildlife pathogens in environmental samples.

Imaging features of renal ectopia and fusion in 13 cats.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: A retrospective multicenter case series of renal fusion anomalies in cats was investigated. The aim of this study was to describe the imaging characteristics (radiography, ultrasonography and CT) of renal ectopia and fusion in cats. A total of 13 feline patients (median age 9 years) were included in this multicentric retrospective study. Ultrasound was available in 12/13 cases, radiographs in 4/13 cases and CT in 3/13 cases. Of the 13 cases, seven were left to right fusions, four were right to left fusions, one was on the midline and one was in the pelvic inlet. Adopting a human classification system, there were five lump kidneys, four disc kidneys, one horseshoe kidney, one caudal ectopia, one L-shaped kidney and one pelvic kidney. In 2/13 cases, additional congenital malformations were noted, including an azygous continuation of the caudal vena cava and a peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: This study provides further description of the imaging findings in feline patients with fused renal ectopia. The morphologic characteristics of the fused kidneys in cats appear similar to what is published in the human literature. Renal fusion might be an incidental finding in cats, but further investigations are necessary to determine their clinical relevance.

Application of UV-C irradiation prevented a severe outbreak of proliferative kidney disease in rainbow trout aquaculture.

There is an urgent need to establish protocols on how to protect salmonids in aquaculture from outbreaks of proliferative kidney disease (PKD). For this purpose, systems for a continuous application of peracetic acid (PAA, 0.1 mg l-1) and of ultraviolet C light (UV-C, 323.5-158.6 mW s cm-2) were installed in the inlet of raceway-channels within a sub-unit of a commercial rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss farm. After 127 d of rearing, a fish health examination was conducted. Fish in the control and PAA treatment groups showed signs of PKD. In contrast, fish in the UV-C treatment group showed almost no signs of disease based on clinical examinations and necropsy. This observation indicates that UV-C irradiation could be a promising tool to protect fish from PKD in the future.

Fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis outbreaks in Japanese squirrels (Sciurus lis): a potential disease model.

Fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis is a hereditary systemic amyloidosis characterized by glomerular amyloid depositions, which are derived from the fibrinogen Aα-chain variant in humans. Despite its unique pathology, the pathogenic mechanisms of this disease are only partially understood. This is in part because comparative pathological studies on fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis are currently unavailable as there is a lack of reported cases in animals other than humans. In this study, mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses of Japanese squirrels (Sciurus lis) that died in five Japanese zoos showed that they developed glomerular-associated fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis with an extremely high incidence rate (29/38 cases, 76.3%). The condition was found to be age-dependent in the Japanese squirrels, with 89% of individuals over 4 years of age affected. Mass spectrometry revealed that the C-terminal region of the fibrinogen Aα-chain was involved in amyloidogenesis in Japanese squirrels as well as humans. No gene variations were identified between amyloid-positive and amyloid-negative squirrels, which contrasted with the available data for humans. The results indicate that fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis is a senile amyloidosis in Japanese squirrels. The results have also provided comparative pathological support that the amyloidogenic C-terminal region of the fibrinogen Aα-chain is involved in the characteristic glomerular pathology, regardless of the animal species. This study elucidates the potential causes of death in Japanese squirrels and will contribute to future comparative pathological studies of fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Proteomic research on new urinary biomarkers of renal disease in canine leishmaniosis: Survival and monitoring response to treatment.

The objective of our study was to search for survival biomarkers (SB) and treatment response monitoring biomarkers (TRMB) in the urinary proteome of dogs with renal disease secondary to canine leishmaniosis (CanL), using UHPLC-MS/MS. The proteomic data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD042578. Initially, a group of 12 dogs was evaluated and divided into survivors (SG; n = 6) and nonsurvivors (NSG; n = 6). A total of 972 proteins were obtained from the evaluated samples. Then, bioinformatic analysis reduced them to 6 proteins like potential SB increased in the NSG, specifically, Haemoglobin subunit Alpha 1, Complement Factor I, Complement C5, Fibrinogen beta chain (fragment), Peptidase S1 domain-containing protein, and Fibrinogen gamma chain. Afterwards, SG was used to search for TRMB, studying their urine at 0, 30, and 90 days, and 9 proteins that decreased after treatment were obtained: Apolipoprotein E, Cathepsin B, Cystatin B, Cystatin-C-like, Lysozyme, Monocyte differentiation CD14, Pancreatitis-associated precursor protein, Profilin, and Protein FAM3C. Finally, enrichment analysis provided information about the biological mechanisms in which these proteins are involved. In conclusion, this study provides 15 new candidate urinary biomarkers and an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of kidney disease in CanL.

Differentially expressed transcripts of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Cnidaria) between carrier and dead-end hosts involved in key biological processes: novel insights from a coupled approach of FACS and RNA sequencing.

Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae is a malacosporean endoparasite that infects a wide range of salmonids and causes proliferative kidney disease (PKD). Brown trout serves as a carrier host whereas rainbow trout represents a dead-end host. We thus asked if the parasite adapts to the different hosts by changing molecular mechanisms. We used fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate parasites from the kidney of brown trout and rainbow trout following experimental infection with T. bryosalmonae. The sorted parasite cells were then subjected to RNA sequencing. By this approach, we identified 1120 parasite transcripts that were expressed differentially in parasites derived from brown trout and rainbow trout. We found elevated levels of transcripts related to cytoskeleton organisation, cell polarity, peptidyl-serine phosphorylation in parasites sorted from brown trout. In contrast, transcripts related to translation, ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis and subunit organisation, non-membrane bounded organelle assembly, regulation of protein catabolic process and protein refolding were upregulated in rainbow trout-derived parasites. These findings show distinct molecular adaptations of parasites, which may underlie their distinct outcomes in the two hosts. Moreover, the identification of these differentially expressed transcripts may enable the identification of novel drug targets that may be exploited as treatment against T. bryosalmonae. We here also describe for the first time how FACS based isolation of T. bryosalmonae cells from infected kidney of fish fosters research and allows to define differentially expressed parasite transcripts in carrier and dead-end fish hosts.

Susceptibility to adriamycin-induced hepatotoxicity in mice depends on PRKDC polymorphism.

Adriamycin (ADR) is an effective chemotherapy drug for various cancers but has serious side effects. ADR-induced liver damage is a common problem during therapy, but the underlying mechanism remains to be fully understood. In contrast, ADR-induced glomerular damage is well studied in rodents, and sensitivity to ADR-induced nephropathy is because of the R2140C polymorphism of Prkdc gene. To investigate whether strain differences or sensitivity to ADR-induced liver damage are related to Prkdc polymorphism, this study compared the sensitivity to ADR-induced liver damage among C57BL/6J (B6J), B6-PrkdcR2140C, and BALB/c mice. Although B6J exhibits resistance to ADR-induced liver injury, BALB/c and B6-PrkdcR2140C are more susceptible to liver injury, which is exacerbated by the presence of R2140C mutation in PRKDC.

German Shorthaired Pointer dogs with exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus develop immune-complex membranous glomerulonephropathy.

German Shorthaired Pointer (GSHP) dogs with a UNC93B1 gene mutation develop exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ECLE) and kidney disease resembling lupus nephritis in humans. The objective of this study was to characterize the kidney disease by light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy in a population of GSHP dogs with ECLE. Medical records were reviewed, and light microscopy of kidneys from 7 GSHP dogs with a previous histologic diagnosis of ECLE was performed. Immunofluorescence of fresh-frozen kidney from 1 dog and transmission electron microscopy of kidney from that dog and 2 additional dogs were performed. Five of 7 dogs had proteinuria diagnosed by urinalysis or urine protein-to-creatinine ratio. Two of 7 dogs were intermittently hypoalbuminemic, and none were azotemic. Histologic findings included early (2 dogs) to late (5 dogs) membranous glomerulonephropathy characterized by mild-to-severe glomerular capillary loop thickening and tubular proteinosis. In all 7 cases, trichrome staining revealed red granular immune deposits on the subepithelial surface of the glomerular basement membrane. Immunofluorescence revealed strong granular labeling for immunoglobulins and complement protein C3. Electron microscopy demonstrated subepithelial electron-dense immune deposits encircled by the remodeled glomerular basement membrane. These findings are diagnostic of immune-complex membranous glomerulonephropathy and are similar to class V lupus in humans. This cohort of GSHP dogs with ECLE developed immune-complex membranous glomerulonephropathy, which we hypothesize is a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. GSHP dogs with ECLE should undergo clinical evaluation of renal function for early identification and treatment.

Urinary cystatin C and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) as early biomarkers for renal disease in dogs with leishmaniosis.

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a disease caused by Leishmania infantum that can vary from a subclinical infection to a severe disease. Dogs affected with CanL present varying degrees of renal dysfunction. Unfortunately, traditional biomarkers such as urea and creatinine detect renal damage in advanced stages of the disease, so more accurate biomarkers are needed. Hence, we aimed to study how urinary cystatin C (CysC) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), behave in dogs with CanL at different stages of the disease. Eighty-six CanL infected dogs were classified according to LeishVet stages: LI (16 dogs), LIIa (12 dogs), LIIb (12 dogs), LIII (16 dogs) and LIV (30 dogs); as a control, 17 healthy dogs were studied. Blood samples were collected for complete haematological and biochemistry analysis including plasma cystatin C. Urine analysis included urine specific gravity (USG), urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC), CysC and NAG expressed as a ratio with creatinine uCysCc (µg/g) and uNAGc (IU/g). The haematological, biochemical and urinary analysis coincided with the LeishVet guidelines. The statistical study of the uCysCc ratio and the uNAGc, showed significant increase when compared against control starting from group LI (p < 0.05). Interestingly, when the cut-off values were calculated using the ROC curve, uCysCc (258.85 µg/g) and uNAGc (2.25 IU/g) 75 % of the dogs included in LI groups surpassed the threshold. Hence our study indicates that uCysCc and uNAGc, could help to detect early renal damage in CanL affected dogs.

DISEASE PROCESSES IDENTIFIED IN CAPTIVE ARABIAN SAND CATS (FELIS MARGARITA HARRISONI).

The objective of this retrospective study is to identify common and significant causes of mortality and disease processes in the Arabian sand cat (Felis margarita harrisoni) captive population at Al Ain Zoo (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates). Complete postmortem records of 25 Arabian sand cats, dead between 2009 and 2022, were reviewed retrospectively. A complete postmortem examination was done in all cases, and information was recorded in the Al Ain Zoo database and files. Out of 25 animals dead, 11 were adults (4-12 yr) and 12 were classified as geriatric animals (>12 yr), with only two neonatal (0-4 mon) deaths and no recorded deaths in juveniles (4 mon to 4 yr). Interestingly, but also expected because of the age range, 24% of the cases had concurrent pathologies at the time of death. As expected in adult and geriatric felines, more than half of the cases (60%) developed nephropathies that were either one of the most important contributors or the main cause of death of the animal. Different neoplastic lesions were described in four cases and reported for the first time in this subspecies: benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor, hepatobiliary carcinoma, and two different thyroid neoplasia. A vasculoproliferative disorder of the liver, peliosis hepatis, was described in one of the cases. Additionally, in at least four cases, hyperthyroidism was strongly suspected in connection with thyroid neoplasia and hyperplasia, clinical signs, and other observed postmortem lesions. Traumatic causes of death also were reported in six cases, including the only two neonates recorded dead. This information will contribute to Arabian sand cat improved veterinary care by identifying common pathologies in this species, potentially allowing earlier diagnosis and, ultimately, improving their management and husbandry in the captive breeding populations.

Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae and proliferative kidney disease in Icelandic salmonids - Comparative data from two different time periods.

Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae is a myxozoan parasite and the causative agent of proliferative kidney disease (PKD), a serious, temperature-dependent and emerging disease affecting salmonid fish. It was first identified in Iceland in 2008, from Arctic charr inhabiting a shallow lowland lake. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and prevalence of macroscopic and subclinical T. bryosalmonae infections in Icelandic salmonids and compare different time periods, in context with depths, volumes, altitudes and areas of the lakes and fish age. Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) from 34 lakes, sampled between 1994-1998 and 2009-2017, were examined for macroscopic signs of PKD (n = 2,151) and the presence of T. bryosalmonae infections (n = 1,424). In the earlier period, 43% of lakes (10/23) harboured T. bryosalmonae -infected fish. The mean prevalence in those lakes was 62.1%, being most common in shallow lowland lakes whilst deeper lakes at high altitudes were all free from infection. Only a single fish from one lake showed macroscopic signs of PKD, a shallow lowland lake in southwestern Iceland. In the latter period, T. bryosalmonae was found in 16/18 lakes studied (89%), with a mean prevalence of 78-79% (excluding T.b. free lakes), being most common in the smaller, shallower lakes at lower alttudes. Macroscopic signs of PKD were observed in 11 of 18 of the lakes studied (61%) with prevalences up to 67%, most common in younger fish inhabiting small shallow lowland lakes. The results indicate that the distribution of T. bryosalmonae and the presence of PKD in Iceland have increased over the last few decades. The disease was almost non-existent in the 1990s but has become very common during the last decade or two. With further water temperature increases, as predicted by climate models, PKD is likely to increasingly affect wild salmonid populations in Iceland.

EVALUATION OF SYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE AS AN ENDOGENOUS MARKER OF RENAL DISEASE IN GREATER FLAMINGOS (PHOENICOPTERUS ROSEUS).

Detection of renal disease in birds is currently reliant on biochemical measures such as uric acid, which is only elevated after significant renal compromise has occurred. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) production has not been previously evaluated in birds and no reference intervals (RI) for measurement exist in avian species. This study aimed to develop an RI for SDMA in greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and evaluate the association between SDMA levels and renal disease. Blood from 60 flamingos was collected for RI development and the RI of SDMA was found to be 11.8-34.2 µg/dl. Symmetric dimethylarginine showed a strong positive correlation with uric acid, a moderate positive correlation with creatine kinase, and moderate negative correlations with total protein, albumin, and glucose. No correlation was found with pododermatitis score or body condition. Using the SDMA RI, six clinical cases were included for assessment of the clinical relevance of SDMA in renally compromised patients. All birds that were euthanized had elevated SDMA levels and severe renal or systemic pathology on necropsy.

Urinary Biomarkers of Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats.

A variety of urinary markers of the renal disease show promise for the identification of glomerular and tubular damage and monitoring treatment. Most of the markers are currently not widely available, and all could benefit from further study. This review summarizes recent studies on urinary biomarkers of renal disease in dogs and cats.

Serum and urine profiling by high-throughput TMT-based proteomics for the investigation of renal dysfunction in canine babesiosis.

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by Babesia canis, with acute kidney injury as one of the common complications. In the study 8 healthy control dogs and 22 dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis were enrolled, with the aim to analyse differences in serum and urinary proteomes between healthy dogs and dogs with different degree of renal dysfunction in babesiosis using a label-based high-throughput quantitative proteomic approach. In serum, 58 proteins were found differentially abundant between healthy controls and groups of dogs with different degrees of renal dysfunction in babesiosis, while in urine there were 259 differentially abundant proteins. In addition, altered biological pathways were detected in the diseased dogs using bioinformatics tools and validation of several candidate biomarkers was performed. SIGNIFICANCE: The main aim of this comprehensive study was to perform analyses of serum and urinary proteomes of dogs with renal dysfunction in babesiosis compared to healthy dogs using, for the first time, a high-throughput proteomic method and functional enrichment analyses. Serum and urine samples of the same dogs were investigated in order to gain a more complete picture of pathologic changes taking place in renal dysfunction in babesiosis. We highlighted two putative biomarkers validated herein which could be of importance for early diagnosis of renal dysfunction in canine babesiosis, as they are easily accessible from urine and their concentration rises before the appearance of azotaemia: urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP).